Lim found a talent for running at school, winning her middle-school race then steadily improving until she won the 3000 metres at the Korean National Sports Festival.

[2] Following this victory, interviews with her were published highlighting her poor background, making particular mention of her reliance on ramen (noodle soup) and her envy of the food her richer friends ate.

The 1987 Asian Athletics Championships was her next major international outing, but she did not perform as well, leaving the competition with one medal (a bronze) from the 800 m and beaten by not only China's Jiang Shuling but also national rival Choi Se-bum.

The incident drew international consternation and her coach, Kim Pum Il, publicly apologised, but such was the culture to succeed that the pair continued to work together.

Kim was not punished by the Korean Sports Association and a spokesman confirmed that it was common practice for coaches to slap and whip their charges as a form of encouragement.